As the setting sun cast its crimson glow across Qingge's face, the warm light brought a faint hint of life to her pale, rigid features.
Her movements were stiff and deliberate as she slowly raised her hand. Lowering her gaze, she stared at her disfigured right hand in prolonged silence.
Then, Qingge began her descent down the narrow path of Tianheng Mountain, her steps slow and mechanical.
At this moment, anyone who stumbled upon her would likely have been terrified to death by her unnerving appearance.
Fortunately, she encountered no living souls on her descent—neither strangers nor familiar faces.
Concealing her aura, she vanished into the shadows at the end of the path.
-
After disengaging from the battle, Morax reverted to his original form as Zhongli.
He returned to Liyue at lightning speed, breathing a sigh of relief when he found that the countermeasures he had left behind had not been triggered.
But Zhongli soon realized he had relaxed too soon.
Arriving at Tianheng Mountain, Zhongli saw the coffin exposed to the air, its lid pried open. Inside lay only half a severed arm.
Zhongli clenched his fist so tightly that it trembled slightly from the strain.
"Insolence!!"
The word erupted from his lips like a thunderclap, reverberating across Liyue Harbor for all to hear.
The citizens of Liyue who heard this furious roar nearly skipped a heartbeat, their hearts seized by terror and shock.
On the Jade Chamber, Ningguang was at her desk. Liyue had already detected the disturbances in Sumeru, and she was preparing to consult the Geo Archon when the thunderous roar shook the heavens.
She rose swiftly, her expression grave.
"Lord Geo Archon..."
Given the Geo Archon's composure, what could have possibly transpired?!
The chaotic events of the previous Lantern Rite had left Ningguang on edge, seeing threats everywhere.
Now that the Geo Archon was in a towering rage, the truth had to be uncovered immediately.
"Baishi, summon Yelan... No, I'll go myself..."
-
Yujing Terrace.
Upon hearing the furious roar, Streetward Rambler immediately set off for Tianheng Mountain. Before departing, she brought her guzheng.
-
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Hu Tao still clearly remembered Zhongli's voice. She scurried to the entrance of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, her gaze fixed on Tianheng Mountain, her small hands clasped tightly together.
"Lord Geo Archon, please protect Zhongli..."
-
Tianheng Mountain.
Venti approached Zhongli and shook his head.
Zhongli's earlier outburst, beyond genuine fury, had also been a ploy to provoke the Abyss forces into revealing a weakness, allowing Barbatos to trace their movements.
But the plan failed. Venti found no trace of the Abyss.
Cough... cough...
Zhongli coughed again, a trickle of golden blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
"Old Man, you... you were injured by that Black-Robed Man..."
Zhongli raised a hand to silence Venti. His injuries were minor; he had simply been overwhelmed by anger.
The erosion... it's worsening again...
"Old friend, please restore this place to its original state."
"...Very well."
Venti channeled his divine power, instantly restoring Qingge's disturbed grave to its pristine condition.
He understood Zhongli's reasoning. It was best to keep this hidden from the family. Qingge's parents hadn't yet recovered from the shock of losing their daughter and couldn't bear such a cruel truth.
"Old Man, don't worry. I'll stay in Liyue for the time being. Together, we'll find the Abyss and reclaim Qingge's remains."
Venti, being the younger of the two, was ultimately more resilient than Zhongli.
Moreover, as the Anemo Archon, the embodiment of freedom, he was far more resistant to erosion than the Geo Archon, the embodiment of stone. Sensing something amiss in Zhongli's demeanor, Venti felt compelled to stay and ensure everything remained stable.
"Mm," Zhongli murmured, acutely aware of his condition. He struggled to regain his composure.
It seems I must consult Rukkhadevata. If I were to succumb to madness from erosion like Azhdaha, Liyue would truly be in danger... especially with the Abyss growing increasingly active.
-
"Lord Geo Archon..."
Hearing the familiar voice, Zhongli turned toward its source. Not only Streetward Rambler had come, but also the other Adepti and Xiao.
When he didn't see Qingxu among them, Zhongli breathed a sigh of relief.
"Lord Geo Archon, are you... alright?" Xiao noticed the trace of golden blood at the corner of Zhongli's mouth, triggering a tidal wave of concern in his heart.
In this era, who could possibly wound the Geo Archon?
Xianyun was equally alarmed. "Lord Geo Archon, does this have something to do with Sumeru?"
Zhongli nodded slightly. "I am unharmed. You all—except for Xianyun—will search for clues related to the Abyss within Liyue's borders. If you find anything, do not act rashly. Immediately inform me and Barbatos."
Seeing the seriousness in Zhongli's tone, the Adepti immediately agreed.
Only Xianyun spoke up. "Lord Geo Archon, why me?"
Zhongli replied, "The Abyss stole the Kaiyang's corpse. You are responsible for looking after her sister."
"What?!" Xianyun was shocked again. How could this be...? Shouldn't the Lord Geo Archon...?
That's right! The corpse was stolen right after he left. This was planned all along!
No wonder the Lord Geo Archon is so furious!
Xianyun gritted her teeth in anger. "Damn it, those Abyss scoundrels!"
Xiao's hands, hanging at his sides, clenched into tight fists.
As the Adepti departed, only Madame Ping remained.
"Lord Geo Archon, you must also take care of yourself. Only when you are well can Liyue prosper."
Zhongli nodded.
"Old Man, I'm going back to Mondstadt for a bit. I'll be back to see you soon!" Venti said before leaving.
Shortly after, Madame Ping also left to continue her investigations elsewhere.
Zhongli stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing blankly at Qingge's grave.
-
The next day, in Sumeru:
Lumine and Paimon located Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and learned everything that had transpired in the Sumeru Desert the previous day. Nahida was also present.
"So, is Scaramouche dead?" Paimon asked. Though she loathed the guy, she'd still feel a twinge of regret if he'd died like that.
"Not quite," Greater Lord Rukkhadevata replied. "His body was that of a puppet. While his physical form was destroyed in the battle, his consciousness survived. I crafted him a new body, but during the process of transferring his consciousness, an unforeseen complication arose."
"A complication?"
"Yes. Deep within his subconscious, he refused to accept his life experiences. To ensure the successful transfer of his consciousness, I chose to honor his will and completely sever all memories of his past life."
Paimon's jaw dropped. "Erased? Then... is he even the same Scaramouche anymore?"
Rukkhadevata: "It's not deletion, merely returning him to the moment of his birth. To him, all subsequent experiences will be as if they never happened."
"You'll understand better when you see him."
Moments after Rukkhadevata finished speaking, Angie strode in, followed by Tartaglia, Ailina, and...
Kabukimono, dressed entirely in white, wearing a large hat, and cradling an armful of melons and fruit.
Angie took half a melon from Scaramouche, chilled it with Cryo, and handed it to Paimon.
"Ah, thank you," Paimon chirped.
Taking the opportunity to pinch Paimon's cheek, Angie repeated the gesture with Lumine.
"He's not Scaramouche anymore—he's Kabukimono now. But honestly, he's so boring. Bullying him gives me no satisfaction at all. He was way more fun to fight when he had that foul mouth of his."